<div align="center"> <font color="purple">Los Angeles Lakers</font> (8-6) @ <font color="purple">Milwaukee Bucks</font> (4-7) Date: Tuesday, November 30th Time: 8:00 PM EST TV: KCAL, NBALP Previous Games Hornets @ Lakers 89-76 (WIN) Pistons @ Bucks 96-90 (WIN) Projected Starting Lineups LAKERS <font size="1">(Rudy Tomjanovich)</font> C - <font color="purple">Chris Mihm </font>(11.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 0.5 APG) PF - <font color="purple">Lamar Odom </font>(14.2 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.6 APG) SF - <font color="purple">Caron Butler </font>(13.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.6 APG) SG - <font color="purple">Kobe Bryant </font>(28.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 6.1 APG) PG - <font color="purple">Chucky Atkins </font>(10.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.6 APG) <font size="4">VS</font> BUCKS <font size="1">(Terry Porter)</font> C - <font color="purple">Dan Gadzuric</font> (5.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 0.5 APG) PF - <font color="purple">Keith Van Horn</font> (17.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.6 APG) SF - <font color="purple">Desmond Mason</font> (16.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.9 APG) SG - <font color="purple">Michael Redd</font> (23.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG) PG - <font color="purple">Maurice Williams</font> (8.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 7.1 APG) Game MVPs LAKERS - <font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> Predicted Stats: 28 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists BUCKS - <font color="purple">Desmond Mason</font> Predicted Stats: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists</div> Brandon's Analysis Against the Hornets, the Lakers struggled with turnovers?which could be the main problem in Tuesday?s game against the Bucks. Kobe?s passing hasn?t been at its best, but there are more people to blame for his bad passes than just Bryant. To avoid these turnovers, the Lakers must make quick chest passes on the perimeter, and soft bounce passes in the lane?but more importantly, the player receiving the pass absolutely has to step into it (unlike Brian Cook did when Kobe?s pass turned ugly late in the Kings thriller). Also, the Lakers have to crash the boards, especially on the offensive end. Pulling down defensive rebounds hasn?t been much of a problem, but allowing defensive rebounds has. Mihm and Odom need to hit the boards hard when a shot is put up, as well as Caron (who may have a rebounding advantage against Mason). Second chance points are great?especially if the Lakers have trouble shooting early in the game. For both teams, one word: defense. The Lakers need to step it up defensively?because right now, they are terrible defenders, allowing too many perimeter players to free up for the open shot, and not paying attention to guards cutting and looking for the easy bucket. The Bucks should keep their hands up, but try and draw offensive fouls against both Mihm and Odom, to put them out of the game early in the second quarter. The Bucks should hope for Redd to find his shot in this game. In their previous meeting, Redd was ?shut down? by Bryant, going only 1-8 from the field and scoring a disappointing 6 points. On the other hand, Desmond Mason dumped in 26 points off the bench, igniting the Bucks? offense late in the game and almost pulling off a victory, losing to the Lakers by only four, 100-96. Key players for both teams off the bench will be Luke Walton and Mike James. Walton?s passing skills could come in handy, as well as his ability to get open for a long-range jumper. James threw 11 assists in the first game against the Lakers, and if Williams is struggling, don?t be surprised to see Mike James playing 25+ minutes in this one. Brandon's Prediction I see this game being a tough battle between the two teams, with it being a home game for the Bucks. The Lakers are going to have to be consistent on the offensive end for all four quarters, and hold the Bucks? scoring to under 90 points to be able to win this game. I believe the Lakers will come out shooting, and missing?but will more than likely take the lead in the 4th and hold on for the win in Milwaukee, 93-86.
Hmmm...I actually expect this one to be a close one. You know Kobe will get his but I think it depends more on Lamar Odom. He can excel in this game against a particularly weak Bucks frontcourt. Is Keith Van Horn going to be guarding him? If so, then Odom should have no problem taking him to the hole. One thing though; Kobe Bryant shouldn't start getting caught up with Redd in a 3 point shooting competition. He needs to continue driving and dishing and creating oppurtunities. I'll take the Lakers by 4 in OT.
I think the Bucks will win this one. I think Kobe will have another bad shooting night and the team will have a hard time with turnover's. Bucks by 5.
This will be a close game like everyone here is saying.If the Lakers don't get too many turnovers the Lakers will win.If not the Bucks will win,but i have a feeling that the Lakers will get the win,but not by much Lakers 94 Bucks 92
Kobe's frustrated. Just the other day, against the Hornets, he yelled at Tierre Brown for not passing him the ball when he was wide open for the 3-pointer, but instead threw a bad pass. Struggled with referees, etc...(bricked a windmill dunk, as you can see, he wasn't laughing. He was pissed.) I think Kobe will be even more determined. His team is only 8-6, hell, the Clippers are doing better. He should be looking for revenge to all the critics he's recieved. Lakers by six.
Im going with Cody 7k on this one. Lakers by at least 10. Kobe wants to prove something and Odom needs to step up. He needs to show he got the skills
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> ...(bricked a windmill dunk, as you can see, he wasn't laughing. He was pissed.) </div> Does anybody have a .gif of this? I'm very eager to see it. The last time I saw him miss a dunk was that one handed 360 against Seattle back in 2001 or 2002.
Lakers win, 95-90. Kobe with the great block against Redd to save the game...and Cook goes nuts offensively.
Damn nice effort by Kobe shooting could have been betetr but dominated in all other categories had 11 assists most of them resulting to Brian Cooks points. Nice effort by Cook he was lookin like Kg out there except making all his threes led the team in points very impressive. Lamar Odom had a decent night pulling down the boards and gettin some key steals to close out the game. Caron looked like he wasnt out there tonight maybe his family had sometihgn to do with it lol. Nice game by jumaine jones had some key hustle plays and played very good with that second unit in the second quarter that 2nd unit actually extended our lead. All in all a very nice game with the unexpected coming forth but nice game overall. We just need to stop giving away huge leads and Kobe needs to get his Fg percentage up but ill take the W. Here We Come Chicago!!
Nice all around game by Kobe, no field goals in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters. Cook was huge tonight, and what a block by Kobe. Good game, kinda mad we lost the lead for awhile, but we held it together and pulled it out. Good Job, next up..Chicago
Whats up with Redd struggling? 8 pts in this game after that 6 pt game the last time he matched up against Kobe... I didn't see the game but if Kobe was the one doing the defensive job on Redd, he's one hell of a defender.
^ LOL that's true and he didn't get to the line either... amazing how Kobe's D intimidated Redd that he became so passive.
Kobe is a hell of defender. I think it goes to show Redd is not one of the premiere players in the league, he is a premiere shooter, but not a premiere player. Kobe just smothered him and I think a lot of teams might be putting their lockdown defenders on him from now on.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PupMelo:</div><div class="quote_post">Whats up with Redd struggling? 8 pts in this game after that 6 pt game the last time he matched up against Kobe... I didn't see the game but if Kobe was the one doing the defensive job on Redd, he's one hell of a defender.</div> I know I am pissed, he is on my fantasy team!!! I am playing the best team, if I beat this dude, I be number one in my league lol. play better or die.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PupMelo:</div><div class="quote_post">Whats up with Redd struggling? 8 pts in this game after that 6 pt game the last time he matched up against Kobe... I didn't see the game but if Kobe was the one doing the defensive job on Redd, he's one hell of a defender.</div> Kobe stopped him. Thats what. Shut him down again. Kobe gets alot of heat for his offense when it struggles, but alot of people tend to forget how great his is defensively.
